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Environment Conservation Guardian Ride — July 28th, 2027. Be part of history from day one.
Every September, the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes fill with drumbeats, dancers, and thousands of visitors from around the world — all gathered for one of Africa's most moving conservation traditions. This year is no exception. On Friday, September 4, 2026, Rwanda will host the 21st annual Kwita Izina ceremony at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District, and this year's edition promises to be one of the most meaningful yet.
"Kwita Izina" is a Kinyarwanda phrase meaning "to give a name." The tradition draws from an age-old Rwandan custom: when a child is born, the family gathers loved ones and community members together to formally welcome the newest member of their family with a name.
In 2005, Rwanda's conservation authorities adapted this beautiful custom into something entirely new — a public ceremony to name the country's infant mountain gorillas. What began as a practical way for researchers and rangers to track individual gorillas has grown into a globally recognized celebration of conservation, community, and coexistence between people and wildlife.
The 2026 ceremony marks 21 years since Kwita Izina was first formalized, and the numbers tell a powerful story. Over the past two decades, Rwanda has named 438 mountain gorillas through this ceremony — each one a symbol of a species that was once teetering on the edge of extinction and is now steadily recovering, thanks to sustained conservation work, community involvement, and responsible tourism.
This year, 22 more infant gorillas born over the past year will receive their names, welcomed into the record books alongside the hundreds who came before them.
The 2026 theme captures exactly what makes Kwita Izina more than a ceremony — it's a reminder that protecting Rwanda's landscapes and wildlife isn't separate from human life and prosperity, but deeply tied to it. Local communities living around Volcanoes National Park are at the heart of that story, working as guides, rangers, porters, and conservationists whose daily efforts make moments like this possible.
For visitors, Kwita Izina offers something a typical gorilla trek can't: a front-row seat to the human side of conservation. The ceremony itself is free and open to the public, drawing conservationists, government officials, and travelers from across the globe to celebrate together. Many visitors pair their trip with a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park in the days before or after — though given how quickly permits and accommodations near Kinigi fill up around this date, early planning is essential.
At Blue Art Tours, we believe experiences like Kwita Izina are exactly why we do what we do — connecting travelers with the landscapes, wildlife, and communities that make East Africa extraordinary. If you've been dreaming of combining a gorilla trek with a once-a-year cultural celebration, 2026 is shaping up to be a beautiful year to make that trip.
Want to experience Kwita Izina 2026 for yourself? Get in touch with our team to start planning your Rwanda adventure.
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